Monday, February 25, 2013

Well, it looks like the little girl is out camping with her friends but nah... this photo's just taken at home.

Just where did she get the tent? My daughter was out window shopping with her doting Lola and saw this pretty pink Barbie bundle and insisted that they buy it. When they got home, I asked what it was she bought and she said, "Ein Zelt". It wasn't even assembled but she knows what's inside. I guess she just figured out from the image she saw in the packaging. True enough, it was indeed a tent. She placed the couch pillows inside to "furnish" it and made it into a small home.

Bonding with cousin Miggy....

Parang nasa bahay lang.... Eh, nasa bahay lang naman talaga! :D

She enjoys playing inside but it could get very warm especially if she and her playmates would take down the flap. It would have been perfect in the garden, where it is cool and airy.

Oh yes, my little girl has an eye for pretty things. She knows what she wants and gets away with it, especially if she is with her grandma. :)

You’ve lowered the crib mattress as low as it can go, but your little one still manages to catapult himself out of his crib with ease; it might be time to consider curbing the crib and taming the toddler bed.

When preparing your home for this milestone, be sure you really consider the timing. If your toddler is already overwhelmed with other huge changes in his life like potty training, moving homes, changing schools, new sibling, etc., you might want to consider waiting until things slow down a bit. Toddlers have a tendency to get overwhelmed easily and will look for comfort in familiar spaces and things. Because of this, when it’s time to give up his crib, it might be best to wait until this is the only big change happening for maximum success.

In preparation for the big switch, it’s necessary to keep your toddler involved in the process. Discuss it with them at length, letting them know what to expect and what you expect from them (like staying in their bed all night). Perhaps, give them a vote on picking out their new bed, if that’s an option and let them help with putting their new bed together. The point is to get them excited about the new change and becoming a “big kid”.

Additional tips on choosing a toddler bed: If your child is going into a proper toddler bed, look for something close to the ground with sturdy side rails. For regular twin and full beds, side rails can be purchased separately from any specialty baby store.

When introducing the bed for the first time, keep everything else in the process the same as always. Same nap time or bed time routine, same sheets, blankets and favorite toys as always; and some experts even suggest placing the crib in the same spot as the crib was so the view from inside will be the same.

Most importantly, be patient. This is a big change for this little person. Aside from ditching the diaper, this will be the biggest change he will be going through. The trick is to stay calm, be reassuring, and prepare yourself for nighttime visits. When this happens quietly walk him back to his room with a kiss and a hug and then leave. Any lingering or prolonged cuddling will only encourage this behavior.

Last, it is a good idea to take extra safety precautions around your home now that your toddler has been freed from the crib. As much as we would love for them to listen to us when we say “stay in your bed,” we all know that toddlers often times have a mind of their own. If your child knows how to unlock and open outside doors, you might want to consider installing latch locks at the top of doors. Locking bathroom doors, refrigerators, and ensuring dangerous and/or expensive items are put out of reach is also a good idea.

Your toddler might know better than to climb on the counter and grab a permanent marker when you’re standing right there, but all bets are off at three in the morning. Rule of thumb, as always, is better safe than sorry. If you find that staying in bed is becoming an issue, consider a reward system similar to potty training, anything to keep the process and positive and happy one.

Good night and good luck!

This guest post is written byNicole Yontz. Nicole Yontz is a stay at home mom in Arizona, a contributing parenting writer for WhatToExpect.com and a personal blogger at TheBetterHalfBlogs.com.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Hot bath is one of the oldest forms of hydrotherapy as it helps improve blood circulation and helps you to relax and loosen those tense, hard muscles (especially the back). If you are sitting all day in the office, you will really get a backache afterwards. Going to the spa to get a massage is a good option to relieve you of the backpains but it can sometimes be tiring. Why not get that regular hydrotherapy right at your home?

Jacuzzi hot tubs offer more than just relaxation and pampering oneself. It also helps to relieve back pains and stress, improve blood circulation, and helps you get better sleep. Just remember to keep the water temperature at the safe levels so as not to overheat your system and will cause you to pass out.

A jacuzzi bath at home may be a luxury item for some but for those who have an active lifestyle and require frequent detoxification and hydrotherapy, it may just be a good alternative on the way to wellness. Being the focal point in a bath, it can also be a good place to relax and meet up with family and friends to catch up on the good days.